S1: Hello, friends. It's time for the second hour of Open
S1: Line with me. Michael Zelnick. This is Moody Radio's Bible
S1: Study Across America, where we're taking your questions about the Bible, God,
S1: and the spiritual life. I'm, uh, my name, as I said,
S1: is Michael Zelnick. I'm the academic dean here at Moody
S1: Bible Institute. I teach Jewish studies and Bible, and we're
S1: live today sitting around the radio kitchen table talking about
S1: your questions. So it's time to give me a call.
S1: People often say, when can I get my call in?
S1: I'd like to call, but it's always busy at the
S1: beginning of the hour. Right now is the time to
S1: call (877) 548-3675. That's (877) 548-3675. Beginning of the hour's best time
S1: to call. That's a trick. There's some guy that always
S1: wanted to call. I always think it's funny. He wanted
S1: to call from Florida every week. A minute before the
S1: program began, I would see the flashing light over there.
S1: He was calling. He knew the beginning of the hour.
S1: That's when to call. (877) 548-3675. If you can't call, just
S1: go to our website, Open Line radio.org. You can scroll down.
S1: You'll see a link there. It says Ask Michael a question.
S1: You click on that. And that will take you to
S1: a page where you can post your question. And Trish
S1: will put it in the mailbag, and then we'll talk
S1: about it on the air. So that's open line radio.org.
S1: All the other links there I think you'll find helpful
S1: as well. Uh anyway, I hope you have your Bible open.
S1: Hope you have a second cup of coffee, because we're
S1: ready to talk about the scriptures. And we're going to
S1: talk with Roger in Minnesota, listening on KBW and also
S1: listening on the Moody Radio app. Welcome to Open Line. Roger.
S1: How can I help you today?
S2: Um, thank you for taking my call. Um, I had
S2: a thing happen to me. I was on Facebook about
S2: a week ago or so, and I was I posted
S2: a couple of positive things about the election, and, uh,
S2: a classmate that I haven't really talked to since high
S2: school popped on, and he started saying that I was crazy. And, uh,
S2: the president elect has the Antichrist. And so that triggered
S2: me thinking. I started asking him, well, how do you
S2: know about the Antichrist? Have you been reading the Bible?
S2: And he said, no, I don't read that stuff. And
S2: I gave him my testimony and he says, well, you're
S2: believing a lie. And I said that, um, no, I'm
S2: not believing a lie. And I told him about a
S2: couple of miracles in particular that.
S1: Well, Roger, Roger, Roger, just just go ahead with a question,
S1: if that's okay.
S2: Oh. I'm sorry. Okay. Um, uh, it turns out that
S2: he mellowed out and put a heart up. And he said,
S2: I see where you're coming from. I've been hard on you.
S2: And I said that, well, I, um, I want to
S2: reach out to you. And, um, where do I go
S2: from here without saying something stupid or, you know, and
S2: but using scripture.
S1: So now that's not the question we have on the,
S1: on the screen here. Uh, okay.
S2: I'm kind of nervous about the whole thing too, but.
S1: Okay. Uh, let me ask you this. What I would
S1: do is always maintain a relationship. I'll answer the question
S1: you asked. Maintain a relationship. I like to think, uh,
S1: it's really important when we share our faith to do it.
S1: I like an agricultural model. You know, the first thing
S1: you do when you're going to grow something is you
S1: break up the soil, you, you, and then you sow
S1: seed in it. And then the third part is so
S1: you have cultivation of the soil, sowing the seed, weeding it.
S1: And then finally reaping, letting it grow and reaping a harvest.
S1: So the the first part of cultivating the soil is
S1: with relationship of friendship. That's it. That's what what breaks
S1: up the soil and allows the seed to be sown.
S1: So I would start with keeping that relationship open. Keep
S1: talking with him. Uh, periodically raise a flag, identify as
S1: a believer, talk about an answer to prayer. Talk about
S1: something God is doing in your life and see if
S1: he is wanting to hear more. If he is, then
S1: what you get to do is sow seed. Uh, well,
S1: arguing is probably not the best, but it depends. You know, I,
S1: I had a relationship with Hilda Kozar and we argued
S1: through the scriptures. Uh, you look at acts 17, Paul
S1: argued in the synagogues over whether or not Jesus is
S1: the Messiah. So it's not hostilely arguing, but engaging with
S1: each other. That's, I think, important. One of the things
S1: when when you sow seed, the very first thing that
S1: happens is weeds come up. That's objections. And that's when
S1: you you clear out those weeds. You're answering those objections
S1: which could be perceived by some as arguing, but just
S1: answering those objections. And then finally, when you'll perceive when
S1: a person's getting ready, you ask them what's keeping them
S1: from trusting in Jesus. And they might say this or that.
S1: You might answer those objections, but, you know, give them time,
S1: and that will be the way to encourage someone to
S1: make a decision. If they say, I can't think of
S1: anything keeping me from trusting in Jesus, then you say, well,
S1: let's do that right now. How about that? So and
S1: by the way, if you're listening and people have been
S1: sowing seed in your life, what's keeping you from trusting
S1: in Jesus right now? All you have to do is
S1: tell them, I know I've done things wrong, but God
S1: sent the Messiah, Jesus, who died for my sins and
S1: rose again put my trust. I put my trust in him.
S1: And if you'll do that right now, there should be
S1: nothing keeping you from doing that if you put your
S1: trust in him. I just love it. A forever. A
S1: forever forgiven relationship with God taking us through this life
S1: and into the next. What a great, great privilege. So anyway,
S1: thanks for your call, Roger. Really appreciate it. Uh, we're
S1: going to talk with Alice in Pompano, Pompano Beach, Florida,
S1: listening on Wrnb. Welcome to Open Line. Alice. How can
S1: I help you?
S3: Hi. I just had two points I wanted to make
S3: and see if you agree with them. The first is
S3: on repentance, and people seem to extend it out to
S3: mean something besides change your mind. The Bible says God repented.
S3: So as far as I'm concerned, you know in either
S3: language it would be change your mind. But the other
S3: thing is um, regarding salvation. Like people say, it's God's gift,
S3: but they don't give him full credit for the payment.
S3: They think they have to commit their lives to follow Christ.
S3: Ask them in their heart. Confess like those things are
S3: for service. They have nothing to do with free salvation.
S3: When you believe, you get salvation.
S1: Okay, Alice, let me just explain. Uh, first of all,
S1: what repentance is. Repentance in the New Testament means change
S1: your mind. So, for example, in acts three, when, uh,
S1: speaking to a crowd of Jewish people who had rejected Jesus,
S1: Peter says, repent, change your mind. You rejected him as Messiah.
S1: Accept him now as the Messiah. So that's metanoia. There's
S1: another word that's used both in the Hebrew Bible of
S1: turn and in the in the New Testament as well,
S1: means to turn. And what that refers to is turn
S1: away from what you used to trust and turn to
S1: the one you do you now trust. So faith and
S1: repentance are two sides of the same coin. I think
S1: a great example of that usage is in First Thessalonians
S1: chapter one, where it talks about Paul's describing the Thessalonians,
S1: and he talks about how they came to faith. And
S1: what he says is that they turned from idols. Here
S1: it is. Ready. Uh, they said he says in verse nine,
S1: first Thessalonians one nine for they they themselves report what
S1: kind of reception we had from you, how you turned
S1: to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
S1: and to wait for his son. So what did they do?
S1: They turned to God. But what did they also do?
S1: They turned away from idols. And so, in a sense,
S1: faith is turning to God, trusting in what Jesus has provided,
S1: his death and his resurrection And repentance is turning away
S1: from that which we used to trust our own good deeds,
S1: our own righteousness, anything like that. Okay. I appreciate the call, Alice. Uh,
S1: thanks so much. Uh, we're going to talk to, uh,
S1: Wilburn in Akron, Ohio, listening on Wkjf. Welcome to Open Line. Wilburn.
S4: Yes. How are you doing, doctor? Uh, I know it
S4: may be early. Happy hanukkah. Thank you. Shalom. Thank you. Yeah.
S1: To you as well.
S4: My question. Okay. My question is from Galatians when God
S4: says the Bible says Paul, God is not mocked. We
S4: must show what we reap. So the reaping process. Now,
S4: do we do that on our own, or can God
S4: still be with us? Or just like since we don't
S4: mock God, you know, like he just leaves us, you know,
S4: like to reap whatever it is, whether it's good or
S4: bad on our own.
S5: Well, sir.
S1: I don't think reaping is something that we choose to do.
S1: Here's what the let's read the whole verse. So you
S1: see what it's saying. It says, don't be deceived. God
S1: is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will also reap. Well,
S1: what is he talking about? Sowing? Because the one who
S1: sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh,
S1: but the one who sows to the spirit will reap
S1: eternal life from the spirit. So the the point is
S1: that what are we feeding in our lives? Are we
S1: feeding our spirit or that's sowing? Are we feeding, uh,
S1: our flesh? Uh, what are we inputting? You know, the
S1: old computer principle. Garbage in, garbage out. That's all this is.
S1: If we if we if we fill our mind with trash,
S1: watch movies that are corrupting. If we read books that
S1: harm us, if we, uh, spend, I think a lot
S1: of time on the internet. The result will be it
S1: will corrupt our souls. The consequence? That's what we we.
S1: That's what reaping is. What's the consequence of that? Our
S1: behavior will reflect that corruption. However, if we read scripture,
S1: if we renew our minds, if we listen to spiritual music,
S1: if we, uh, if we input into our mind things
S1: that are of value, like Philippians four talks about anything
S1: of excellence, then what will will have a harvest of
S1: righteousness and eternal life? So that's that's what that's talking about.
S1: So appreciate the call. Wilburn. Thank you so much. We're
S1: going to take a break here. When we come back
S1: we'll talk about your questions. Again the number (877) 548-3675. My
S1: name is Michael Radonich. This is open line on the
S1: Moody Radio. All across Moody Radio. So stay with us.
S1: We'll be right back.
UU: Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Wonderful counselor, Lord of life. Lord
UU: of all. He is the Prince of Peace.
S1: Ah! One of my favorite passages from Scripture put to
S1: song Isaiah nine six. Uh, and that's actually one of
S1: the passages we'll be studying when we do a special
S1: Christmas Bible study. It'll be Chris favorite, and Tricia McMillan
S1: and Eva Wright and me will be studying passages from
S1: the Book of Isaiah that foretell the coming of the Messiah.
S1: That'll be one of them. I hope you'll be listening.
S1: A couple of weeks from now on, a special pre-recorded
S1: open line. Uh, also, uh, I it's kind of like
S1: carols here at Moody Bible Institute this weekend. It's one
S1: of the great productions that Moody does. We love it here.
S1: And it's just wonderful. And, uh, one of the encouraging
S1: things is I met some kitchen table partners on the
S1: Journeys of Paul tour that I went on in September,
S1: and they are going to they drove up from other
S1: states and they are here for the weekend, and they're
S1: going to Candlelight Carols, and I'm going to meet up
S1: with some of our kitchen table partners tonight. I'm pretty
S1: excited about that. What's a kitchen table partner? It's people
S1: who commit to give monthly so we can stay on
S1: the air weekly. And one of the things I like
S1: to do is I send every other week a special
S1: Bible study moment right into their mailbox, their email box,
S1: and then they click on that, get to hear a
S1: little Bible study for about 5 or 7 minutes. and
S1: I love producing those. Eva helps me with those quite
S1: a bit. She'll join me for these little Bible studies.
S1: We have a good time talking about it, and it's
S1: just a way of saying thank you. And by the way,
S1: people who commit to a $30 a month commitment for
S1: the the kitchen table partner, you get 50% off of
S1: the entire Moody Publishers catalog. What a great opportunity. That'd
S1: be a great thing to do even today. I mean,
S1: it's Christmas season and wow, that you you can do
S1: all your Christmas shopping if you become a kitchen table
S1: partner like that. So anyway, I really want to encourage
S1: you if that's something you'd like to do, uh, please
S1: don't hesitate. All you have to do is go to
S1: Openline radio.org, uh, and you'll see a link there about
S1: how to become a kitchen table partner. Or you can
S1: call 7122. That's (888) 644-7122. We're going to go right back
S1: to the phones now. Uh, we're going to talk to
S1: Barbara in Chicago listening on Wmbi, our flagship station. Welcome
S1: to Open Line. Barbara. Hi.
S6: Thank you. Michael, um, I was wondering when the angel
S6: came to Mary and told her that she should call
S6: her son Jesus. Is that the origin of the name? Uh,
S6: is it the Greek origin? Because I know the Jews
S6: call Jesus Yeshua. Why aren't we calling Jesus Yeshua too?
S1: Well, in the event, I'm sure the angels spoke Aramaic
S1: or Hebrew with Mary and said, Yeshua, because that's the
S1: Hebrew name. Uh, it's like Joshua. That's really that's really
S1: what it is. Yehoshua uh, or shortened form Yeshua salvation.
S1: And so that's what I'm sure was said, however, when
S1: the Gospels were written in Greek.
S7: I don't have my phone right now.
S1: We're at a drive up window right now. There we are. So. Okay, Barbara.
S1: So when the Bibles were written in Greek, they the
S1: gospel was written. The Gospels were written in Greek. They
S1: used the name Jesus, which is the Greek word for Yeshua.
S1: They just used the Greek word, the Greek transliteration Jesus.
S1: And then when it was translated into English, Jesus became Jesus.
S1: That's it. It's it's just going from one language to
S1: another language to another language. And that's how it goes
S1: from Yeshua to Jesus to Jesus. That's what we've got. And, uh,
S1: you know, I feel comfortable calling him Yeshua. That's probably
S1: if it wouldn't shock everyone in the radio audience, I
S1: would probably call him Yeshua 100% of the time, because
S1: that's even when I read my Bible and I see Jesus,
S1: I see Yeshua. When I see Christ, I say Messiah.
S1: That's that's just natural to me. Partially because I was
S1: raised in a Jewish home. And honestly, I thought the
S1: name Jesus Christ was a first and a last name.
S1: You know, like Joseph, Christ, Mary, Christ. And they had
S1: a little baby boy named Jesus Christ. I didn't have
S1: any idea that Christ meant Messiah. So when I first
S1: heard the gospel and heard that the name or the
S1: title Christus meant Messiah, I'm like, ah! And I really
S1: prefer that because that's who I was looking for. I
S1: was looking for the Messiah. Every Jewish person is longing
S1: for the coming of the Messiah. So but, you know,
S1: I kind of adapt to the culture of our listeners.
S1: And I say the Lord Jesus and and I'm happy
S1: with that. Uh, you know, God understands whatever word we use.
S1: That's fine. Now, I will caution you. There's a lot
S1: of people out there saying that his Hebrew name is Yeshua,
S1: and that is a corruption. It is not right. It's
S1: they say it's the combination of the your the name
S1: of God, Yahweh and Shua, which I don't know what
S1: they're saying it is. That's not what it's Yeshua. Uh,
S1: y e s uh y e lead to it again.
S1: Y e s h ü and that's that's what I would, uh,
S1: you know, if you're going to call him by his
S1: Hebrew name. That's it. Okay.
S6: Okay. Thank you so much, Michael.
S1: Yeah. Thank you so much for calling Barbara. Uh, Randy
S1: in Indiana, listening on WGN. Ah, welcome to Open Line.
S1: How can I help you?
S8: Hey. Good morning Michael. Thank you for taking my call.
S8: I have a question for you. I'm sort of, uh,
S8: learning Christian. And, uh, when we get to heaven, are
S8: we going to know, like, our parents? Are we going
S8: to recognize them as our parents, or are we going
S8: to recognize our siblings or grandfather or grandmother? Uh, that
S8: sort of, uh, confusing to me a little bit there. Well.
S1: I'll give you a couple of reasons why I think, yes,
S1: we will recognize people, uh, in Luke 16. And it's
S1: a parable. I recognize this the parable of Lazarus and
S1: the rich man. But the rich man, even though he
S1: is separated from Lazarus and and suffering, whereas Lazarus is
S1: finding comfort at Abraham's bosom, the the rich man recognizes
S1: Abraham as Abraham. People say, how did he know it
S1: was Abraham? I maybe name tags, I don't know. But
S1: the thing is, he was recognizable. And also in First
S1: Thessalonians chapter four, it talks about the great reunion that's
S1: going to take place when the dead in Christ shall
S1: rise first, and we who are alive and remain are translated,
S1: and we'll meet them in the air, and so will
S1: be together with them forever. So it does appear that
S1: there's a great reunion that happens at the rapture. And
S1: so I think that when we if we die and
S1: go to heaven, we see them before that rapture that yes,
S1: indeed will will recognize them. Okay.
S8: Well, I appreciate that. Thank you very much.
S1: Thank you for asking. Uh, call again. Thanks a lot. Uh,
S1: we're we're going to talk with Adrian in Florida listening
S1: on R&B. Welcome to Open Line. Adrian.
S9: Hi. Thank you for taking my call. Um, I was
S9: just reading how God spoke through Nathan to David when
S9: he said, I will build you a house. And then
S9: with the incident with Bathsheba. I was just wondering why
S9: God never spoke to David directly where he was a
S9: man after his own heart. But then he spoke to
S9: Solomon and other kings that that weren't as close to
S9: to God as David.
S1: Well, he didn't really speak to Solomon. He spoke to
S1: Solomon in a dream.
S5: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
S1: So there's only one prophet through to whom God spoke
S1: face to face. That was Moses and Moses was promised
S1: that God would send a prophet like him to Israel.
S1: That would be the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. Deuteronomy 18
S1: predicts that. And so why it is that he chose
S1: to speak to David through a prophet, but chose to
S1: speak to Solomon through a dream? No clue. Uh, you know, uh,
S1: I don't think there's anything in Scripture that would tell
S1: us why, other than God is sovereign and decides to
S1: do whatever he wants to do. Okay.
S5: Okay. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
S1: Yeah. Okay. Thanks for calling, Adrian. Appreciate it. Uh, Joni
S1: in Nashville, Tennessee. Welcome, listener. Welcome to Open Line. How
S1: can I help you today?
S10: Um, yeah.
S11: I was I've been listening, and I am just very curious.
S11: Where did evil come from? Has it always existed? Just
S11: like God?
S1: No evil. Evil is not tangible, you know.
S11: Well, neither. Neither is God at this point.
S1: Well, the what I mean, he's not evil, is not
S1: a being, is what I'm saying. Uh oh.
S11: Okay.
S5: You know.
S1: Uh, God is an eternal being, and he always existed. Uh,
S1: in fact, there was no such thing as a beginning
S1: until God created beginnings. Uh, but where did.
S11: Evil come from?
S5: Well.
S1: You know, uh, I'll do my best to try to
S1: answer that. I'm not sure that anyone has the best
S1: answer for that. Uh, but God isn't the author of evil. Uh, and, uh,
S1: and that's really important, uh, for us to know that God,
S1: God didn't create evil. Okay. Uh, Now it does say
S1: in Isaiah 45 that this is a verse that some
S1: people cite as God creating evil. Uh, it says in
S1: Isaiah 45, um, I got to look it up. Uh,
S1: that in verse seven it says, I form light.
S5: And.
S1: Create darkness. I make success and create. And the Hebrew
S1: word is there for evil. So God creates evil. People say,
S1: but in context it just means disasters that God is
S1: in charge of even of of of the tumults in
S1: the world. If there's a tsunami or something like that,
S1: that God is still in charge of that. Uh, so
S1: I don't think God created moral evil. This is how
S1: I understand where it came from in Ezekiel 28. This
S1: is the beginning of evil. Uh, its its first talking
S1: to the king of tyre, and then it goes to
S1: the power behind the king of tyre, which was Satan.
S1: And it says the reason I know its not the
S1: king of tyre any longer. It says you were the
S1: seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
S11: Can you tell me where you are? Ezekiel 28.
S5: What?
S1: Verse 12 God says to the king, are you there?
S5: Yeah.
S1: Okay. You are the seal of perfection, full of wisdom,
S1: perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Well,
S1: the King of tyre never was in the Garden of Eden. Uh,
S1: so this is talking to to the one behind him. Uh,
S1: every kind of precious stone covered you, and it mentions them. Uh,
S1: and then it says in verse 14 you were an
S1: anointed guardian cherub. So he was an angelic being. For
S1: I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain
S1: of God. You walked among the fiery stones from the
S1: day you were created. This is verse 15. You were
S1: blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you.
S1: Where did that come from? It came from Lucifer, from
S1: this evil one. God didn't create that. It was found
S1: in him. Did God allow it? Obviously. But that's the first.
S1: That's the beginning of evil, as far as I can tell,
S1: was when Satan fell.
S5: Okay. Okay.
S11: All right. So. Well, my, my, that's that's perfect. And
S11: I've read that passage and that's kind of what I
S11: had thought. But then when, I don't know, I was
S11: listening to you talk to other people, and the whole
S11: subject of evil came up, and I was thrown for
S11: a loop. Yeah. I always thought that evil was like
S11: it wasn't a thing, but it. But it has to exist.
S11: Just like a hole exists in dirt, but without the dirt,
S11: there's no hole.
S1: Yeah, the thing is that it didn't exist before Satan fell.
S1: So don't don't know how it happened. You know, I
S1: just I know that we don't have every answer. I'll
S1: give you Deuteronomy 2929. Why don't you look that up?
S1: I'll read it when we come back. Thanks for your call, Johnny.
S1: I really appreciate it. We'll be right back with more
S1: of your questions. Right here on Open Line.
UU: With Michael Radelet. Oh, man named John the.
S12: Baptist had been heralding the news about the coming of
S12: a savior for both the Gentiles.
UU: And the Jews. And it happened in Judea, in the
UU: town of Bethlehem.
S12: With a bright star or the stable.
S1: Well, there's that great song by Kathy Mattea. Check out
S1: her Christmas album. One of the best Christmas albums I
S1: think ever made. And it's a great reminder he came.
S1: That song begins by talking that the Messiah came for
S1: both the Gentiles and the Jews. And I want to
S1: encourage you to remember that when the Lord Jesus came,
S1: he was the light to the Gentiles and the glory
S1: of his people, Israel. So.
S5: Amen.
S1: Tahira Haynes is going to join me in just a
S1: moment with the mailbag. I did want to remind us
S1: all about Deuteronomy uh, 29, verse 29. Uh, the last caller,
S1: I said, there's some things that we have to just
S1: trust God to know. Deuteronomy 2929. The hidden things belong
S1: to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong
S1: to us and to our children forever, so that we
S1: may know and follow all the words of this instruction.
S1: Now what is this saying? Some things God knows and
S1: we'll never know. But he revealed what we need to know.
S1: He revealed that we need to choose good and reject
S1: the evil. He didn't reveal where evil came from. I
S1: just am drawing what I can from Scripture and I
S1: won't go further than that. Don't go beyond that which
S1: is written, is what Paul says. Uh, one of the
S1: interesting things I was reading, actually, this is kind of
S1: a I was reading a book with Eva about by D.L.
S1: Moody about how to study the scriptures. And, uh, D.L.
S1: Moody told the this story about a guy named, uh, Talmadge. Uh,
S1: here's what he says. Talmadge was bothering professor DeWitt with
S1: questions about the Bible and God and and wanting to
S1: know things that couldn't be known. The professor said, Mr. Tallmadge,
S1: you'll have to let God know some things that you don't.
S1: And I love that. I love that. So there are
S1: some things we just don't know. God knows. And I'm
S1: going to be happy with that. So, uh, also, uh,
S1: I did want to mention that, you know, it's the
S1: end of year tier. It is. Yeah. And, uh, of course,
S1: Moody is wanting to end the year, uh, doing well, uh,
S1: and as a result of that, we welcome you to
S1: help with an end of year gift to Moody Bible
S1: Institute to open line. And the way to do that
S1: is by going to our website, Open Line radio.org. And that's,
S1: I think, a really great thing. Go to Open Line radio.org.
S1: You can give there or you can call (888) 644-7122. Now
S1: what happens when we we want to say thank you
S1: when you do that. And we will send you an
S1: excerpt from Galatians Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians of the the Moody
S1: Bible Commentary. And it is so appreciated when you give
S1: a gift. We're so glad we can give you something
S1: back and say thanks. And and so really want to
S1: encourage you if you've never given. This is a great time,
S1: end of year to help us as we close out
S1: the year. And we want to say thanks by sending
S1: you that wonderful resource that we have, uh, the excerpt
S1: from the Moody Bible Commentary. And now to hear us
S1: hear with the with the mailbag, you have a lot
S1: of questions there. I'm sorry I had to take up
S1: your time with all those things.
S13: No, thank you so much. And we really do love
S13: our listeners. And we could not do what we do
S13: without our listeners. So thank you, everyone. And, um, we
S13: do have some questions. Our first question is from Melanie
S13: in California, and she listens. She uses the podcast. She says,
S13: I am a listener of Moody Radio and a fellow
S13: follower of Jesus Christ. From my understanding of Scripture, Zechariah
S13: and Elizabeth are descendants from the line of Aaron, a Levite.
S13: Elizabeth and Mary are cousins, making merry. A Levite, Joseph,
S13: Mary's husband, is from the line of David, who is
S13: from the tribe of Judah. How is Jesus considered to
S13: be from the seed of David? Well.
S1: According to his by rights, he's got the authority to
S1: rule on the throne of David, because he was adopted
S1: by Joseph, and because he was adopted by Joseph wasn't
S1: his physical father, but adopted by him. And you can
S1: read the the lineage or the genealogy in Matthew one.
S1: And that shows where how it goes from David to Solomon,
S1: and then down all the way to Joseph. Okay. So
S1: he's the son of David, in that sense, adopted through
S1: his father, Joseph. If you read the lineage or the
S1: genealogy in Luke three, that's really Mary's genealogy. And it
S1: says that she's from the line of David through Nathan
S1: all the way down to marry and and heli. There
S1: is Joseph's father in law. Not it says his father,
S1: but it's Ellie is actually. Or Ellie is actually the
S1: father in law of Joseph. So it has Mary's genealogy.
S1: And then it goes to Joseph. Ellie, the father of Joseph.
S1: It's the father in law of Joseph. So that's Mary's genealogy.
S1: How can Elizabeth? Elizabeth was also probably from the line
S1: of David family of David. But she married Zechariah outside
S1: of her tribe. He was from the priestly tribe. Not
S1: not Elizabeth. Or it's possible that Elizabeth's parents, her father
S1: was a priest, and her mother had been from the
S1: line of David and married in there somewhere back that way. But, uh,
S1: likely she was from the line of David as well,
S1: the family of David, and had married into a priestly line.
S13: Thank you for explaining that, and for tying Elizabeth into
S13: the story as well. Thank you.
S5: Yeah.
S1: I hope that answered it, I hope so.
S13: Yeah. And thank you, Melanie, for that question. We have
S13: another question from Susan in Idaho who listens via Kmbi.
S13: What is the birth order of Noah's sons in Genesis
S13: 924 it says the youngest son. And is that referring
S13: to him or to the youngest grandson? Cainan?
S5: Well.
S1: This is one of those things where, uh, let me
S1: read you the verse. It's not talking about Cainan. Cainan
S1: was the grandson of Noah. Noah, the son of Ham. Uh,
S1: but in 918, it says Noah's sons who came out
S1: of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was
S1: the father of Canaan. So that's what we know. Shem,
S1: Ham and Japheth. People think that because Japheth is mentioned third,
S1: he's the youngest. Could be. Doesn't necessarily have to be.
S1: But then in 924 it says, uh, praise the Lord
S1: God of Shem. Conan will be his slave. God will.
S1: I'm sorry. I'm reading the wrong verse. When Noah awoke
S1: from his drinking and learned what his youngest son had
S1: done to him, well, his youngest son clearly is Ham,
S1: the father of Canaan. That's what he had done. So
S1: maybe when the names are listed, they're not listed in
S1: birth order. That's one possibility. The other possibility is here
S1: in verse 24, Noah woke from his drinking and learned
S1: what his the Hebrew could just as well mean his
S1: younger son, meaning younger than Shem. Okay, but not necessarily youngest.
S1: So that that could be it as well. I, I don't,
S1: I don't know what the answer is, but it's one
S1: of those two.
S5: Thank you. Okay.
S13: Thank you thank you Susan as well. And then also
S13: we have Lori, who sent a question via Facebook. When
S13: Satan was evicted from heaven, God allowed him to be
S13: the prince on earth. Where did the angels who were
S13: with him go? Are they also on earth tempting and
S13: terrorizing people, believers and non-believers alike?
S1: Well, I don't know. That's not how I describe demonic works,
S1: but I think that basically most of the demons are
S1: the angels that fell with him, became demons, and they are,
S1: you know, up to their malice and malicious works. That's
S1: what they're doing. I see them right now. They've been
S1: tempting Chris, our engineer, this whole hour, uh, trying to
S1: get the right time for when we're going to come in, so. So, no,
S1: I don't think that was demons. I think that was
S1: just normal. Uh, but, uh, The. The interesting thing is that, uh,
S1: the we don't know, there's some that are, uh, at
S1: the abyss, they're unleashed in the tribulation period, and they're
S1: bound from the time that they feld up until the
S1: future tribulation. So God bound some of them for a while.
S1: Others are active. We see them operative in the Gospels.
S1: We see demons operative, uh, in the book of Daniel,
S1: for example, Daniel chapter ten, the Prince of Persia is
S1: a demon. Uh, an angel that fell. So that's what
S1: they're doing. They're just one third of the angels fell
S1: with Satan, and they're they're they're making trouble. That's what
S1: they're doing, by the way. You know, one of my
S1: favorite books. Have you read The Screwtape Letters?
S13: I have not read.
S1: That by C.S. Lewis. It's a wonderful book, and it's
S1: a fictional account of letters from a senior tempter to
S1: his nephew, a junior tempter named Wormwood. So Uncle Screwtape
S1: writes to Wormwood, his nephew, and it's all about how
S1: he should try to tempt his first of all, this man.
S1: And then finally, when he becomes a Christian, not the
S1: not the demon, but the demon has to now deal
S1: with the man becoming a Christian. And what does he
S1: try to do to harm him? And at times it's
S1: funny and sometimes it's very insightful. Uh, it's it's a
S1: it's a great book. And I really encourage you, if
S1: you want to know the, the wiles of the enemy
S1: about what he's trying to do to us. That's a
S1: good book to read. I think it's really very good. Well,
S1: we're going to take a break here. Thank you.
S13: Tara, thank you as well. Doctor.
S1: Nick, that's Tara Haynes, and I'm Michael Riedel. You've been
S1: listening thus far to Open Line. We're going to come
S1: back with more of your questions right here. Uh, on
S1: the air with the with your phone calls. Uh, stay
S1: with us. This is Moody Radio's open line, and we're
S1: wishing you a happy holiday. We'll come back with more
S1: Christmas music.
UU: In just a moment. While shepherds kept them watching over
UU: silent flocks by night. Behold, throughout the heavens the sun,
UU: the holy light. Oh, I said, go tell it on
UU: the mountain over the hills.
S14: What a great version! That's one of the.
S1: First songs I listened to. I was so surprised that
S1: these two Jewish guys from That's Not Them, but these
S1: two Jewish guys from New York, Simon and Garfunkel, had
S1: Go Tell It on the mountain on one of their
S1: early albums, and I'm like, hmm, I wonder why they
S1: were doing that. They just liked the folk song. But
S1: it's a great song. Uh, that the Messiah, Jesus has
S1: indeed been born. That's what we're celebrating this whole month,
S1: not just this day or, uh, because it's Candlelight Carols
S1: at Moody or on the 24th and 25th of December.
S1: We're celebrating it every day. How great that we have
S1: a messiah. Well, uh, I failed to mention that our
S1: mailbag last time was the Febc mailbag. I want to
S1: remind people that febc Far Eastern Broadcasting Company partners with
S1: us to bring us the mailbag, and also to help
S1: bring Open Line to you. It's a terrific organization that
S1: brings the good news to many people through media and
S1: through personal touch. Uh, they do a great job. And
S1: I really want you to check out their podcast, the
S1: Febc podcast. It's called Til All Have Heard. The way
S1: to find it is go to febc.org. Check all of
S1: that out. Also, uh, Chosen People Ministries has has got
S1: a great offer. This is the last week. You'll have it.
S1: It's a book called The Heart of the Apostle. It's about, uh,
S1: the Apostle Paul's great heart and love for his own
S1: Jewish people. Based on Romans nine through 11, I think
S1: you're going to really enjoy it. So many people think
S1: Paul was trying to make the story of Jesus into
S1: something more palatable for the Gentiles. When Paul himself says
S1: what he was trying to do is provoke his own
S1: people to jealousy by bringing the gospel to the Gentiles.
S1: It's a great, great book, and all you have to
S1: do to get it is go to Openline radio.org. Scroll
S1: down to where you see it. There's a link that
S1: says A free gift from Chosen People Ministries. Click on
S1: that and you'll be able to get a copy of
S1: The Heart of the Apostle. I think you're really going
S1: to like that. Now we're going to talk to Maria
S1: in Georgia, listening on the Moody Radio app. Uh, welcome, Maria.
S1: How can I help you today?
S15: Yes. Hi. My teenage son has been bringing up the
S15: 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testament.
S15: Meant and how that affects prophecy, because he has heard
S15: that the 400 years of silence is not necessarily true.
S15: And how would we know if Isaiah was written 700 years,
S15: if we include that 400 years as part of those
S15: silent years?
S1: You know, I have no idea what this is talking about.
S1: I don't know what in the world your son is hearing.
S1: I've not heard that. It's here's the thing. We know
S1: when the Kings were reigning and based on when the
S1: kings reigned, that's when Isaiah gave his prophecies. So, for example, uh,
S1: I don't have the exact dates in my head, but
S1: I have them written here in my Bible. Uh, Hezekiah, though,
S1: would would be right around 700 BC. And so when
S1: was Abraham Isaiah ministering to him? It was right around
S1: 700 BC. And and so we we date the book
S1: of Isaiah Somewhere around 700 BC. That's it has nothing
S1: to do with the 400 silent years. I don't know
S1: what what people are. Here's the thing. When someone comes
S1: up with something new and everything you ever heard was
S1: wrong and all that. Let me just say that's usually
S1: a sign that when everyone comes up with something innovative
S1: that no one heard of before. Likely wrong. That's all.
S5: That's.
S1: That's what I would say. I don't, you know, see
S1: if you can get some clarity or have your son
S1: call so I can find out more about this. Okay.
S15: Yes.
S5: Thank you. Okay.
S1: Thanks, Maria. So, uh, Anne in Fort Myers, Florida, was
S1: listening on Wcqs. Welcome to open Line, Anne. How can
S1: I help you?
S3: Thank you. Thank you for taking my call.
S16: Um, I've been enjoying reading about Samuel. His courage and
S16: his heart for the Lord. And I came across a
S16: verse in first Samuel 227 and it says, now a
S16: man of God came to Eli and said to him,
S16: this is what the Lord says. Did I not clearly
S16: reveal myself to your father's house when when they were
S16: in Egypt under Pharaoh? And I was wondering, who is
S16: the man of the Lord? Who are they referring to,
S16: an angel or another prophet? I just was not clear
S16: on that.
S1: The phrase man of God is a term from now.
S1: This is first. Second Samuel takes place immediately after the judges.
S1: So we think it was written then, but it was
S1: more likely written right closer to Kings, because there are
S1: books that go together first, second Samuel, first second kings.
S1: They tell one story, you know, it starts with the
S1: foil for King David. That's, uh, that that's King Saul
S1: and then King David, then King Solomon, first kings and
S1: then second kings, the rest of the kings, and so forth. Okay,
S1: so it's a four volume set, probably written near the
S1: time of the captivity, and the term that was used
S1: for a prophet then is man of God. So it
S1: just means a prophet. Uh, earlier, uh, a prophet was
S1: called a seer. Uh, but nevertheless, uh, the man of God,
S1: you see it in first Kings 13. There's a guy,
S1: he's unnamed. He's an unnamed man of God. He appears.
S1: You see, Elijah and Elisha, they're called the man of God, uh,
S1: in different texts. So it just means a prophet. Okay.
S16: Very good. That really helps me. Thank you so.
S5: Much. Sure.
S1: So glad you called. Uh, Drew in Michigan. Welcome to
S1: Open Line. How can I help you today?
S17: Hey, doctor, your show is a real blessing.
S5: Thank you.
S17: Chapter 18, Book of Revelation describes the future destruction of
S17: the city of Babylon. At the close of this present age,
S17: a beloved radio TV pastor teaches that Babylon has to
S17: be rebuilt in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled
S17: in light of Christ's imminent return. I find very little
S17: in my research about a rising, bustling megalopolis of Babylon.
S17: I believe Babylon refers figuratively to the global Antichrist.
S5: Well well, well.
S1: You know what? Let me. Let me just answer what
S1: you're saying, okay? If that's okay. Uh, I, I agree
S1: that Babylon has to be rebuilt, or it could very
S1: well be just a reference to Babylonia, not the particular
S1: city of Babylon. Uh, Charlie Dyer wrote a great book
S1: about it called The Rise of Babylon. Uh oh.
S5: Good.
S1: And, uh, Charlie is a very trusted prophecy teacher. He
S1: he wrote two great journal articles about revelation 17 and 18,
S1: about why we should take the word Babylon there, literally. Uh,
S1: so I think in Iraq, someday there's either going to
S1: be a city of Babylon, or it may be just
S1: referring to Babylonia in general. I don't think Charlie says that,
S1: but I think it could very well be, which would
S1: be that same area. And but I do think, you know,
S1: sometimes when it says, uh, sometimes a city is just
S1: a city, it's just Babylon. It's don't we don't have
S1: to find it. I know it's the book of revelation, but, uh,
S1: you know, usually like when it when it's saying something symbolic,
S1: it will tell us it's symbolic. No place does it
S1: look symbolic. And the other thing is the description of
S1: the fall of Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18 looks
S1: identical to the description of the fall of Babylon, the
S1: city of Babylon predicted in Jeremiah 50 and 51. And
S1: that's never happened. So to make it fit. Uh, so
S1: how do I believe in the imminency of the Lord Jesus?
S1: I think the rapture will happen first, and that's can
S1: happen imminently. Any moment. I'm ready for it right now.
S1: And then sometime after that, there will be a covenant
S1: between the future false Messiah and the people of Israel,
S1: and that will start the tribulation period. And then somewhere
S1: in there, that's when the fall of Babylon happens in
S1: the tribulation. So that's what I think about that. But
S1: mostly I'm looking for Jesus. That's what I want. Uh, well,
S1: that's the program for the week. Thanks for listening, everyone.
S1: We'll be back next week with more questions. Get ready
S1: for Christmas questions next week. I'd love to talk with
S1: you about your questions about the stories of the birth
S1: of Jesus. Keep in touch with us by checking out
S1: our website openline. radio.org. It's got all the links you're
S1: looking for. I think you'll find that really interesting. Even
S1: past programs are there if you want them. Keep reading
S1: the Bible. We'll talk about it next week. Open line
S1: with Doctor Michael Dolnick is a production of Moody Radio,
S1: a ministry of Moody Bible Institute. See you next week.